IA Permit Practice Test 2

All 20 questions in test 2

Every question below comes from the Iowa question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. Which visitor may drive in Iowa without an Iowa driver's license?

   1. A visitor carrying only a vehicle registration
   2. A visitor with a current license from their home state or country
   3. A visitor who has never been licensed anywhere
   4. A visitor using an expired license from another state
   Show answer

   A visitor with a current license from their home state or country. Iowa recognizes a current license from a visitor's home state or country. The credential must be current, so an expired out-of-state license does not meet the stated condition. Registration identifies a vehicle but does not grant driving privileges, and having no license anywhere provides no basis for the visitor exception. The key cue is the pairing of visitor status with a current home-jurisdiction license. That is different from becoming an Iowa resident or operating without a credential.

   Study this in the handbook: Who Needs a License and What to Carry

2. 2. Which vehicles must have working turn signals under Iowa law?

   1. Only trucks over 10,000 pounds
   2. All cars, trucks, and trailers wider than 40 inches
   3. Only vehicles built after 2000
   4. Only vehicles used at night
   Show answer

   All cars, trucks, and trailers wider than 40 inches. Iowa requires turn signals on all cars, trucks, and trailers wider than 40 inches, and if a vehicle has turn signals they must work. The rule is not limited to heavy trucks, newer vehicles, or night driving. Iowa law also requires you to signal at least 100 feet before a turn, or 300 feet when the speed limit is faster than 45 mph.

   Study this in the handbook: Vehicle Checks, Seat Belts and Child Restraints

3. 3. At what speed do snowplows typically operate on Iowa roads?

   1. 55 to 65 mph
   2. 5 to 10 mph
   3. 25 to 35 mph
   4. 45 to 55 mph
   Show answer

   25 to 35 mph. Snowplows typically operate at 25 to 35 mph, and many drivers fail to realize how slowly they move and hit them from behind. Five to ten mph and the higher ranges are not the speeds the manual gives. Give plows room to work, and expect them to kick up a cloud of snow that makes it hard to see and be seen. Bridges and overpasses may also be slippery even when other road surfaces are not.

   Study this in the handbook: Night Driving, Bad Weather and Floods

4. 4. What is Iowa's general speed limit on an unsurfaced (gravel) secondary road after sunset, when no limit is posted?

   1. 50 mph
   2. 35 mph
   3. 60 mph
   4. 25 mph
   Show answer

   50 mph. Iowa's general limit on unsurfaced secondary roads is 50 mph from sunset until sunrise, and trucks are held to 50 mph on secondary roads at any time of day. During daylight, secondary roads including unpaved ones fall under the 60 mph general limit, so 60 is the daytime figure. Thirty five and 25 mph are not the rural gravel road limits, although you may need to drive slower for loose surfaces.

   Study this in the handbook: Iowa Speed Limits

5. 5. A lane-control sign shows an arrow bending to the right around an obstruction. What does it tell the driver to do?

   
   1. Turn around before reaching the obstruction
   2. Use the shoulder for passing
   3. Stay in the left lane until the road ends
   4. Keep to the right of the obstruction
   Show answer

   Keep to the right of the obstruction. Lane-control signs show where traffic may go and where a turn can be made. An arrow bending around an obstruction to the right directs you on that side of the divider or barrier. It does not authorize shoulder passing, require a prolonged stay in the left lane, or call for a U-turn. Reduce speed as needed, follow the marked path, and keep enough space from the obstruction to avoid drifting into opposing or conflicting traffic.

   Study this in the handbook: Regulatory Signs

6. 6. Where might an Iowa driver encounter a do not enter sign?

   
   1. At the point where a speed limit changes in a work zone
   2. Before a railroad crossing or at a drawbridge approach
   3. At every legal entrance to a public street
   4. At an exit ramp, a divided-road crossover, or a one-way road opening
   Show answer

   At an exit ramp, a divided-road crossover, or a one-way road opening. Iowa's manual lists exit ramps, crossovers on divided roadways, and numerous locations on one-way roads as places where a do not enter sign may appear. These are openings the driver must not use in that direction. The sign is not limited to railroad crossings or speed-limit changes, and it cannot mark every legal street entrance because its purpose is to prohibit a particular entry. Scan the roadway geometry as well as the sign so an exit or crossover is not mistaken for an entrance.

   Study this in the handbook: Regulatory Signs

7. 7. What situation does an Iowa wrong-way sign describe?

   
   1. A lane is reserved for buses only
   2. The roadway ahead has a steep hill
   3. A wrong turn has placed the vehicle in a lane of oncoming traffic
   4. The driver may pass because traffic is light
   Show answer

   A wrong turn has placed the vehicle in a lane of oncoming traffic. The wrong-way sign indicates that a driver made a wrong turn and entered a lane of oncoming traffic. The manual directs the driver to remove the vehicle from the traveled portion, get stopped, and turn around as quickly and safely as possible. A hill or bus restriction describes a different sign, while light traffic never makes opposing travel safe. If this sign faces you, treat it as an urgent warning of conflict, not as information about ordinary road conditions.

   Study this in the handbook: Regulatory Signs

8. 8. What restraint is required for a child under six years old in Iowa?

   1. A rear-facing restraint only after the child turns six
   2. A seat belt alone in every seating position
   3. A child restraint system, such as a safety seat or booster seat
   4. No restraint if the trip is within the neighborhood
   Show answer

   A child restraint system, such as a safety seat or booster seat. A child under six must be secured in a child restraint system, which the manual describes as a safety seat or booster seat rather than a seat belt alone. The neighborhood exception is not part of the rule, and a rear-facing system is tied to a different age and weight condition. The seat-belt-only choice therefore provides the wrong protection for this age group. Select a suitable child restraint, install it correctly, and use it for every trip, including short local drives.

   Study this in the handbook: Vehicle Checks, Seat Belts and Child Restraints

9. 9. What should you use the blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign at a railroad crossing for?

   1. Finding the nearest rest area
   2. Checking when the next train is due
   3. Reporting a speeding train to police
   4. Reporting stalled vehicles, malfunctioning signals, or other hazards using its phone number and crossing ID
   Show answer

   Reporting stalled vehicles, malfunctioning signals, or other hazards using its phone number and crossing ID. Iowa posts a blue Emergency Notification System sign on both sides of each railroad crossing. It lists a phone number for the railroad and a unique crossing identification number. Use them to report stalled vehicles, malfunctioning signals, or any other hazardous situation at the crossing. If your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, get everyone out and far away first, then call the number and share the crossing ID; if there is no sign, call 911. The sign gives no train schedule or travel services.

   Study this in the handbook: Regulatory Signs

10. 10. When may an Iowa driver make a left turn on a red light?

    1. Never; left turns on red are always illegal in Iowa
    2. From any left lane after a complete stop
    3. From the left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street
    4. From a two-way street onto a one-way street
    Show answer

    From the left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street. Iowa permits one kind of left turn on red: from the left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street. Both streets must be one-way, so turning from a two-way street onto a one-way street does not qualify. The handbook gives this permission right after the right-turn-on-red rule, so treat it the same way: come to a complete stop and yield to all other traffic before turning. If either street carries traffic in both directions, wait for the signal to change.

    Study this in the handbook: Turns, Lane Changes, Passing and Tailgaters

11. 11. Your car is swept into water and submerged in Iowa. What does the manual say about opening the doors?

    1. Wait for the vehicle to fill with water; once full, the doors are easier to open, then hold your breath and swim to the surface
    2. Break the windshield first
    3. Wait for rescuers to open them
    4. Force the doors open immediately
    Show answer

    Wait for the vehicle to fill with water; once full, the doors are easier to open, then hold your breath and swim to the surface. If your car is swept into the water and submerged, remain calm and wait for the vehicle to fill with water. Once the vehicle is full, the doors are easier to open; hold your breath and swim to the surface. Breaking the windshield first, waiting for rescuers, and forcing the doors right away are not steps the manual gives; it says to wait until the vehicle is full. The best defense is never driving into floodwater.

    Study this in the handbook: Night Driving, Bad Weather and Floods

12. 12. How should you respond when another driver shows signs of aggressive driving toward you?

    1. Make eye contact and challenge the driver
    2. Slow down or pull over to avoid the driver
    3. Race ahead to prevent the driver from passing
    4. Brake suddenly to make the driver stop
    Show answer

    Slow down or pull over to avoid the driver. If another driver is showing signs of aggression, slow down or pull over to avoid that person. If the driving is dangerous enough to worry you, try to leave the roadway by turning right or taking the next exit when it is safe. Eye contact, racing, and sudden braking can escalate the encounter or reduce your control. Keep your attention on finding distance and an escape route rather than proving a point. Do not stop in an exposed travel lane; choose a safe place where the aggressive driver can continue away from you.

    Study this in the handbook: Turns, Lane Changes, Passing and Tailgaters

13. 13. What should you do at an actively protected railroad crossing when the lights flash or gates are down?

    1. Stop and wait; never go around the gate
    2. Cross quickly if you do not see a train
    3. Drive around the gate after checking both directions
    4. Stop only if the warning bell is also sounding
    Show answer

    Stop and wait; never go around the gate. Flashing lights or lowered gates mean that a train is approaching at an actively protected crossing. The driver must obey those warnings and wait. Seeing no train does not make it safe to cross, because trains may be closer and traveling faster than they appear and can run on any track at any time. Going around the gate creates a direct conflict with the protection system. The bell is not the only condition that matters. Treat the lights and gate position as sufficient warning, remain clear of the tracks, and proceed only after the crossing is legally open.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad Crossings and Rural Roads

14. 14. You are in an Iowa crash with more than $1,500 in property damage. What happens if you fail to report it within 72 hours?

    1. Nothing, if the other driver reports it
    2. You lose your driving privileges and face further penalties
    3. Only your insurance rate can change
    4. You receive a warning letter
    Show answer

    You lose your driving privileges and face further penalties. Iowa law requires reporting a crash that involves injury or death or property damage of more than $1,500. If you fail to do so within 72 hours, you lose your driving privileges and face further penalties. Another driver's report does not satisfy your duty, and the consequence is not just an insurance change or a warning. Call 911 to report the crash and give the officer your insurance, registration, and license.

    Study this in the handbook: Equipment Failures and Crashes

15. 15. How does the Iowa manual say to check tire tread with a penny?

    1. Insert the penny tail first and look for the memorial
    2. Measure the tread with the penny's edge
    3. Insert the penny head first; if the tread does not reach the top of Lincoln's head, replace the tire
    4. Roll the penny across the tire
    Show answer

    Insert the penny head first; if the tread does not reach the top of Lincoln's head, replace the tire. Check tire tread with a penny by sticking the penny into the tread head first. If the tread does not come at least to the top of Lincoln's head, the tire is unsafe and should be replaced. Shallow tread cannot channel water away and invites hydroplaning and longer stops. The test takes seconds, so pair it with checking air pressure with a gauge while the tires are cold.

    Study this in the handbook: Vehicle Checks, Seat Belts and Child Restraints

16. 16. What does Iowa reserve the octagon shape for?

    1. A stop sign
    2. A yield sign
    3. A railroad crossing warning
    4. A school crossing sign
    Show answer

    A stop sign. The octagon is reserved for the stop sign; the manual says to come to a full stop at an intersection controlled by this sign. A yield sign uses an equilateral triangle, a railroad crossing advance sign is circular, and a school crossing sign uses a pentagon. The manual says the shape and color of traffic signs give clues to the type of information they provide. Once the octagonal sign is identified, the driver must make a full stop and wait until the relevant traffic and crosswalk are clear before proceeding.

    Study this in the handbook: Sign Colors and Shapes

17. 17. A rectangular rapid flashing beacon at a mid-block crosswalk is flashing amber. What must you do?

    1. Slow down, but keep going if no one is directly in front of you
    2. Stop for anyone within the crosswalk and watch for anyone about to enter it
    3. Treat it like a flashing yellow light and yield only to vehicles
    4. Stop only if a crossing guard is present
    Show answer

    Stop for anyone within the crosswalk and watch for anyone about to enter it. Rectangular rapid flashing beacons are push-button lights often placed at intersections without traffic signals or at mid-block crosswalks. When the amber lights flash in a rapid pattern, Iowa requires motorists to stop for anyone within the crosswalk and to stay alert for anyone about to enter it. Rolling past because nobody is directly in your lane ignores a person crossing the other half of the road. No crossing guard is needed, since pressing the button is what starts the flashing. Treat the rapid amber flash as a stop cue.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Beacons

18. 18. On a two-lane road, how close may you stop behind a school bus with its stop arm extended?

    
    1. Only after the bus begins moving again
    2. Within 5 feet, if no children are visible
    3. At any distance, provided the driver uses hazard lights
    4. No closer than 15 feet, remaining stopped until the arm retracts and the bus moves
    Show answer

    No closer than 15 feet, remaining stopped until the arm retracts and the bus moves. A vehicle approaching the rear of a stopped school bus must not pass when the warning lights are flashing. It must stop behind the bus at least 15 feet away and remain there until the stop arm retracts and the bus starts moving again. Visibility of children does not remove the duty, and hazard lights do not authorize a closer position. Leave enough space for the bus and its loading area, watch the arm rather than guessing from traffic movement, and proceed only after the stated release conditions occur.

    Study this in the handbook: Stopping for School Buses

19. 19. What happens to an Iowa driver's license when the driver refuses a breathalyzer test?

    1. A warning for a first refusal
    2. Nothing, refusal is a right
    3. A 30 day suspension
    4. An automatic one year revocation, a consequence more severe than failing the test
    Show answer

    An automatic one year revocation, a consequence more severe than failing the test. Refusing a breathalyzer test does not avoid an OWI, and the refusal itself still results in revocation because Iowa's implied consent law treats driving as agreement to be tested. The manual says the consequences for refusing are more severe than failing the test, with an automatic one year revocation of your license and a minimum $1,250 fine. The court may also order a substance use class and evaluation or an ignition interlock device. A 30 day suspension and a warning are not the penalties listed.

    Study this in the handbook: Underage Drinking, Refusal and Open Containers

20. 20. Which crash must be reported to Iowa police under the manual's stated threshold?

    1. A crash involving injury or death, or property damage above $1,500
    2. Only a crash that blocks an interstate for more than one hour
    3. Only a crash involving two commercial vehicles
    4. Any minor scrape, but not a crash involving an injury
    Show answer

    A crash involving injury or death, or property damage above $1,500. Iowa requires police notification when a crash involves injury or death to another person or property damage exceeding $1,500. That threshold is broader than the commercial-vehicle and interstate conditions in the distractors. A driver should first protect people, move an operable vehicle out of traffic when it can be done safely, and call 911 with the location and possible injuries. Leaving because damage looks inconvenient is not a substitute for reporting. The key numbers are injury or death, or damage greater than $1,500, followed by the 72-hour reporting consequence described in the manual.

    Study this in the handbook: Equipment Failures and Crashes